Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 10 October 2017 as published.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Committee held on 10 October 2017 be approved and signed as a true and correct record.

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary and other interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.

In accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, Councillor R Mohammed declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in minute items 4 – Introduction of BTEC Qualification for Licensing Taxi Drivers and 5 – Surrey-wide Convictions Policy arising from his position as a taxi operator.  The interest was such that Councillor Mohammed left the Chamber during consideration of these items.

To consider any business that the Chairman rules may be dealt with under Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There were no items of Urgent Business.

Reporting Person – Matt Cobb

Matt Cobb, Senior Licensing Officer, introduced the report which noted that the Licensing Authority was required to ensure the safety of the travelling public and that the Council attracted good and reputable taxi drivers.  The report recommended that the Council adopt a BTEC Level 2 Certificate entitled ‘Introduction to the Role of the Professional Taxi and Private Hire Driver’ as a mandatory requirement for all Taxi or Private Hire drivers in Woking, and that drivers would be given three years to complete the qualification.

Councillor Howard advised the Committee that he could not support the proposal for existing drivers to complete the Certificate as there were other requirements which had to be met to work as a driver; there would be little benefit to them; and the cost of the course would be around £300 with loss of earnings. 

Councillor Eastwood added that a shorter refresher questionnaire could be sufficient, for example testing drivers’ knowledge of the Borough, and that the issue of ‘grandfather rights’ had been raised as the largest area of concern by the drivers themselves during the consultation process. 

Councillor Addison advised that she agreed that a shorter refresher questionnaire could be a better option for existing drivers, for whom the cost of the course would be a concern.

Matt Cobb advised the Committee that appendix 6 of the report set out a table of complaints received during the 2017 calendar year and there was a relatively even spread across newer and more experienced drivers.  It was stated that a qualification could assist with preventing a small minority of drivers from gaining a licence with Woking Borough Council and using the licence to work outside the Borough, and that Guildford Borough Council had recently required its drivers to complete the course.  There were a number of educational centres were the qualification could be taken, with a range of dates and times to suit drivers, although the nearest centre was stated to be in Guildford.  It was added that the Council could consider a shorter refresher course for existing drivers in the event that the Committee felt it to be more beneficial.

Councillor Kingsbury stated that it was understood completing the qualification could be difficult for some existing drivers, however it was important to raise the standards in the Borough over the forthcoming three years.  Following a question about the cost of the course, Joanne McIntosh, Legal Services Manager, advised the Committee that the Council was not intending to contribute towards the cost of the course, noting that the drivers were required to pay for their own DVLA and CRB checks.

Councillor Pengelly advised that it was a sensible option to introduce the qualification to heighten the professionalism of the taxi trade in the Borough, and that a three year timescale would be reasonable.  It was added that the Council should be receptive to the cost for the drivers in completing the course.

Councillor Rana stated that passenger safety was an overriding issue for the Council and referred  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Reporting Person – Joanne McIntosh